News

Air Force Modifies Physical Fitness Testing

8/23/2013

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The Air Force is making changes to enhance its
physical fitness testing, according to a release. These modifications take effect on Oct. 1, states the Aug. 21
release. The most significant among them deals with the abdominal circumference
portion of the physical fitness test that measures an airman's body
composition. "In the future, if an airman fails the AC portion of the
test, and passes each of the other three components, we'll measure that airman
using the body mass index taping guidance in [Defense Department]
instructions," said Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh in an Aug. 20 letter
informing airmen of the changes. "If the airman meets the DOD BMI
standard, they pass the PFT," he said. The other changes realign the
fitness appeal process back to wing commanders, adjust passing standards for airmen
who can only test on one component of assessment, and change and simplify the
walk test, states the release. (Washington, D.C., report
by SSgt. David Salinitri)